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Driven for months without power steering.

Flip97GTP

Flip97GTP

New member
My 97 Grand Prix was driven for months without power steering. I purchased the car about a year and half ago for really cheap. I haven't driven it since I purchased it. I bought her for a project car or a fixer upper. Now, I'm going to start fixing her up because I finally have the time.

The gentleman I bought it from told me that he was driving it for like 6 months without power steering. WOW.....Lol! I drove her around the block today and I didn't hear nothing, it was just hard to turn when I was driving slow. Then, I added fluid and it came out very quick, by the time I made it back from around the block the second time it was empty. It was leaking on the driver side.

The gentleman also told me he changed the power steering pressure line prior to the 6 months of driving it but it didn't fix it, so I guess he just kept driving it like that.

My question is what could of possibly got damaged? Rack and pinion, gear box, power steering pump, etc.....
 


Well, since you don't have a gear box and it is leaking on the drivers side (the PS pump is on the pass. side) I'd say either a line at the rack is leaking or the rack itself is shot. Seeing as how it's a 97 and likely the original rack I'd be willing to bet that the rack is shot. Being driven w/o PS fluid that long isn't going to help the rack either. Best way to tell is if the leak is coming from the inner tie rod boot on the rack. If it's wet then I'd call it done. Time for a new/used AC Delco rack.
 
pump will be shot too after being dry that long. id do the rack, the pump, and the lines. 6 months is ALOT of neglect.
 


this was my second time. this one only took like 2 hours this time. first time was longer, not sure why lol


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its drive way work. no need for a lift. im a lank and was able to reach the rack mounting bolts from the side of the car, only thing i went under the car for was to get the lines off/on.

you put the car on jack stands, take the wheels off, take the tie rod ends off the knuckle, lower the frame a bit, then remove the bolt to the steering shaft, pop shaft off the rack, then lower the frame some more, then the lines come off and the 2 mounting bolts tot the sub frame and pop it out the driver side wheel well. the p/s pump lines are clipped to the rack as well as a wire. look for that and un hook em.

if you have magnasteer dont forget to unplug that plug it back in.

some will say to take the sway bar out to ad room, but the rack bolts were clear to get to for me. so i left it in place.
 
Scotty, I luv the pics you post...Lol I was thinking about taking the sway bar out but if I don't need to I won't.
Do you know if there is a how to write up on this? I looked and didn't see one. I was thinking about doing one.

Also, thanks Scotty, you are a big help!
 


this covers the job pretty good. but its on a lift. you do it the same but with jack stands and a floor jack to lower the sub frame.

this guy dont take the wheels off, you'll have to cause your working on the ground.

 
One very important thing to remember is to remove the clip from the power steering pump that connects to the rear knock sensor. If you remove the pump with this still in place you run a good chance of ripping out the wiring to the sensor, and that's not in a good place to get to either, lol.. Seen it happen a few times.
 


you got napa by you? search their on line store they have one on sale for 152.00 130 core, but you get that back, and its all local to you, no waiting for the mail man.

i actually bought that rack, and it didnt show up at the store, so i got one from their local re builder for 20 bucks more.
 
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